PC Tim Bird told the court that Mr Williams was well equipped for the expedition which involved preparation work for the 14-peak challenge - a marathon walk which involves climbing all the 3,000 foot peaks in Snowdonia in one day.

He said he also believed Mr Williams was "looking for a new route to descend from Snowdon."

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team member Elfyn Jones said as a result the rocks were not as worn and were covered with moss and were slippery.

Both witnesses believed Mr Williams may have slipped on the rocks or lost his balance due to the high winds at the time.

Former Maes Garmon head teacher Aled Lloyd Davies said his death was a massive loss to his family, the school and the community.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said Mr Williams was likely to have slipped or lost his balance for an unknown which then led to his fatal fall.

Highlighting the danger of walking on any mountain, he added: "There is always an element of risk and I am certain that Mr Williams knew of that risk.

"He slipped and fell and it was sheer bad luck that he did so at that point. Had it occurred somewhere else he may have been able to arrest his fall."